Mean Streak is a Swedish metal band who manages the legacy of traditional heavy metal. The band was formed in 2008 by Peter Andersson. The general idea was (and still is) to write classic metal straight from the heart. In the beginning of 2008 Peter wrote some songs in his studio, mostly for his own amusement. The first song written was "Rock City" which is found on the bands debut album. Later that same year Peter contacted Andy La Guerin for vocal duties. The collaboration was a success and after a few months of writing the idea of making an album was formed. Jonas K�sb� was hired to play the drums and the foundation of Mean Streak was thereby complete.

The album "Metal Slave" reached the stores in September 2009 and made a huge impact on the European and Japanese metal markets. The album recieved 8/10 in Rock Hard magazine as well as 89/100 in Burrrn! and received airplay on metal radio stations all over the world including Bruce Dickinson on BBC 6. The reviews world wide was overwhelming. A number of shows in clubs also took place.

In June 2010 songwriting for the second album "Declaration Of War" was initiated. This album was released in January 2011 and in conjunction with that the band did their first tour out of Europe. The journey went towards Japan where the album recived great reviews from press and fans alike. After the touring had been completed there was a change in line-up. Patrik was replaced by Thomas "Plec" Johansson.

During a recreation trip to Thailand in 2012, Peter and Plec started to lay out the plans for a third Mean Streak album. It was decided that the rest of the year would be spent writing and recording new material. This time no stone would be left unturned in the making of the perfect heavy metal album. Peter had a handful of songs in a raw demo state and with these as foundation Peter and Andy sat down to complete the new tracks. In March 2013 "Trial By Fire" was ready to be delivered to Black Lodge and Bickee Music.

Trial By Fire was released world wide June 14th, the single track "Shine On" will premiere on the 26th of April, 2013. Facebook

Demonhead (Australia) Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Spawned in early 2007 from a mutual love of metal and hard & heavy rock Demonhead are ready to tear the roof off!! Known for their energetic, infectious and sometimes chaotic live shows, Demonhead will leave you with a grin on your face and a nasty hangover the next day. Think Early Metallica and Motorhead having sex with Iron Maiden in a Punk Rock Bar, while Turbonegro and Kyuss watch on drunkenly cheering. A fusion of Australian pub rock with face melting solos and fist pumping metal anthems, they are a band you definitely won't forget.Facebook

MorningStarlett (USA) Heavy Metal

MorningStarlett is the only female-fronted metal band that's so EPIC it hurts! Hailing from New York City, their unique sound combines operatic vocals, muscular riffs, and dual shredding guitars to craft the aforementioned painfully-epic sound. From the Game of Thrones-inspired "Mother of Dragons", which is currently enjoying regular airplay on the influential metal station 89.5FM WSOU, to the synthesizer-laced grooves of "A Hero Lies", their strong melodies and prodigious musicianship have earned them a highly loyal following, both in the New York City area and globally.MorningStarlett was founded in 2009 when five bold musicians banded together in brotherhood to bring the world the most EPIC metal it has ever heard. As the visionary captain of the band, guitarist Richie Castellano leads MorningStarlett into battle; when not engaged in battle with this hearty band of warriors, he plays guitar and keyboards with Blue Oyster Cult. Lead vocalist Ann Marie Nacchio is a classically-trained soprano, able to shatter not only glass but an enemy's armor with no weapon but her voice. Andy Ascolese beats the drums of war to drive this band of warriors into battle. Guitarist Walter Blanco is the intellectual of the group, with a Master's degree in Wailing and a Doctorate in Face Melting. Bass guitarist Russ Jones strikes terror into the heart of their enemies by evoking the thunderous roar of a thousand galloping warhorses with his bass.Facebook

Sacred Gate (Germany) Heavy, Power Metal

SACRED GATE is a traditional heavy metal band from Mönchengladbach, West Germany, formed by Nicko Nikolaidis (guitars), Jim Over (vocals), both of Greek origin, and Holger Zimmermann (drums) in March 2008, but the musicians were not newcomers. They had been previously playing together in MADE OF IRON (formed in 1999), which originally was a cover band of Iron Maiden, but then started writing original material.

Still as MADE OF IRON they released the first self-titled demo in December 2002 and the second demo "King of All Kings" in March 2003. In October 2003 Anger Of Metal Records released their 7'' EP "Made of Iron" which included the songs "Made of Iron" and "Fight for the Cross... Die for Jerusalem", that are still included in the SACRED GATE live sets. The first and only, again self-titled, full-length album of MADE OF IRON was released in December 2004 by the Greek label Sonic Age Records.

Three years after the split of MADE OF IRON, the band members (except for the bass player) decided to have a fresh start, under the name of SACRED GATE. In October 2008 Peter Beckers joined, responding to an internet announcement of Nicko that the band was searching for a bass player. Christian Wolf joined the band in April 2010 and replaced Holger Zimmermann on the drums.SACRED GATE headlined several local shows in Germany, including a mini festival Metal Night Neuss.

On 18th of November 2010 the band entered the Metallurgy Studio in Monchengladbach and recorded 9 songs for their debut CD. However first, on 24th of September 2011, the band released their self-produced EP "Creators of the Downfall" that received very good critics and reviews from all over the world. The EP contained 3 studio songs (which would later be found on the band's first full-length) plus 3 live cuts.

Meanwhile SACRED GATE caught the interest of Metal On Metal Records, that upon listening to the full album, titled "When Eternity Ends", offered the band a deal to release it in April 2012.

"When Eternity Ends" was released on April 27th and is a perfect album for all those who love their metal the way it was back in the day: classic and without experimentations. Jim's charismatic vocals, dynamic, melodic and full of passion, Nicko's extravagant guitar work with fantastic solos, mighty riffs and double lead harmonies, Peter's remarkable bass lines and Christian's solid power drumming are the trademark of SACRED GATE. The catchy choruses, the impressive song structures and the intelligent lyrics prove the musical ability and potential of the band. The album received many great reviews and was most often compared to the works of IRON MAIDEN (especially circa "Seventh Son...") and to ICED EARTH. At the end of 2012 SACRED GATE recruited Björn Walde as the second guitar player. Before the official announcement was made in January 2013, Björn had played two concerts and with this battle test proven to be a the right and fitting choice. More shows were soon scheduled - the band was confirmed for 3 German festivals in 2013: Rage Against Racism in May, AUE Open Air in July and Metallergrillen in August.

In the meantime, the work on the follow-up to "When Eternity Ends" continued. Many songs had been written much earlier, so the recording process of the second album started quite soon after the debut was out: in October 2012 and finalized in just one month.

The sophomore album, entitled "Tides of War", scheduled for April 19th 2013 release through Metal On Metal Records, is a concept album about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Not a surprising choice of subject, considering that 2 founding members (vocalist Jim and guitarist Nicko) have Greek origins. The new album is undoubtedly a more mature, more epic and more confident effort showing the band crystallizing their own style, and moving away a few steps from their main influence, IRON MAIDEN. The tale about the Spartans' and their allies' heroic fight for freedom is told in a really compelling way, not only through words, but also through music, with strong, melodic but rough vocals, outstanding guitar work and rock solid rhythm section.Facebook

Byzanthian Neckbeard (UK) Stoner, Doom Metal

Stranded on an island enveloped by fog, lost in the English channel and forgotten by time there is only doom. We four miscreants have little time for anything other than toiling in a war torn old bunker, a relic from darker times, to create our own blend of heavy, fuzzy doom. Once described as a “feralbeast spits out sludgy riffs that would make an Iron Monkey recoil with horror” , Byzanthian Neckbeard eviscerate your very being with a crushing wall of fuzz stained, doom laden horror.

Dragging itself into existence on a dark January in 2013 the lumbering beast; Taz Etasse (drums), Dano Robilliard (bass), Jon Langlois (guitar) and Phil Skyrme (guitar and vocals) has torn through live performances while concocting new sonic doom ready to grace their debut album “From the Clutches of Oblivion”. One reporter is quoted as saying “They launched into aset of some of the most crushing riffs Guernsey has ever seen” adding “groove mixed in withthe vicious vocals to create a sound heavier than any other in Guernsey today”

The gods and beasts took pity on four weary doom merchants as they emerged from their hole and in September 2013 sound was committed to the ages, in the shack known as The Tardis. This was not some gleaming shrine to sound, but merely a room and a sofa. Guided by James Le Hurey, Dave Wratten and Ben Pearce, “From The Clutches of Oblivion” hauled its wretched mass into the world. Do not judge us for our backwards ways but commend our spirit, hail the sordid church of Byzanthian and Praise the beard of the diabolical!Facebook

Dark Quarterer (Italy) Epic Heavy, Progressive Metal

The band’s origins date back to the early 1970s, when, under the name of “Omega Erre”, the trio made up of Gianni Nepi (bass and voice), Paolo Ninci (drums) and Fulberto Serena (guitar) spend about eight years playing hard rock covers. The group “Dark Quarterer” comes into existence in 1980 to provide an answer to the musicians’ own musical ideas. In the following twelve years the albums “Dark Quarterer” and “Etruscan Prophecy” are produced. For its deeply personal stylistic touch, the group is considered the creator of a new genre (epic/progressive). Both albums are still cult for lovers all over the world. When the musicians are about to reap the fruit of their work, Fulberto leaves the band; it will take three years before the new solidality with Sandro Tersetti, the guitarist who takes Serena’s place in the group, starts bearing fruit. A new album comes out (“War tears”, produced in Germany), with a different sound for the contribution of the new member, which also belongs to that classic evergreen discography.About five years later, Tersetti also leaves the group, and his place is taken by the then 19-year-old Francesco Sozzi who will give a new turn to the DQ’s style. Two new albums are produced, one with the trio line-up, the other with the contribution of Francesco Longhi at the keyboards; he will join the band permanently in 2004. “Violence” and “Symbols” are the titles of the two albums which come out respectively in 2002 and 2008. The changes in line-up and record-making keep the band away from the stage; since 2004, however, thanks to the group’s increasing stability, live-activity has been constantly increasing and the band has taken part in many prestigious European festivals. Live concerts have also become increasingly more frequent, with their fans’ growing approval. This all brings to the production of the Live DVD “Under the spell” in 2010 (a two-hour-and-a-half concert recorded in a 19th century theatre, located in a medieval Tuscan hamlet) and for the same year at least three more recordings are contemplated with My Graveyard Productions, a label with which the band has been profitably linked for a few years.In 2011, still with the MGP they release a double live CD taken from the DVD "Under The Spell" and finally in September 2012 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the debut album, comes fully arranged and played by the current lineup of their first album "Dark Quarterer "was registered as a new disk.Currently the band is working on the songs that will make up the track list of the new studio album whose release is planned in january 2015 and planning the live activity.Facebook

Seventh Seal (USA) Progressive Metal, Rock

Maryland based hard rock band SEVENTH SEAL is back in 2014 with a brand new album, a new sound, and a new identity. The band is starting a fresh chapter in their career, more focused than ever, now with a new line up and the release of their most ambitious work to date. THE GHOSTS OF WHAT WE ARE is a diverse and musically involved album; one that closely bridges the genres of rock and metal, yet still stands on its own in originality and presentation. With this new material, Seventh Seal has branched out and broken free from all of their past formulas and styles, exploring more progressive elements in their sound. Aggressive yet melodic, catchy yet uncompromising, the album's twelve songs take the band in a new direction while consistently displaying the musicianship and powerful lyrical themes that they have always been known for. The central theme of the album focuses on the changes we face and live through during our time here - "The Ghosts Of What We Are", in this case, representing the shadows of our former selves that still resonate within us, even as we continue to grow. Deeds, feelings and memories that follow us through our path in life, both haunting and encouraging us along the way.Facebook

Eldertale (Ukraine) Melodic Folk Metal

The concept for ELDERTALE comes from its founder, Evgeny Belozertsev, and consists to combine metal within traditional folk melodies of the Northern Slavs. This idea came in his mind back in 1998 while he was in his other Heavy Metal band named TIARA. He had to wait the year of 2004 with the find of the first bandmate, Kirill "Kirya" Shapovalenko, to shape this project for real. Kirya started in the band as a bass player but now manages vocals and guitar lines while Evgeny Belozertsev also plays guitar. Therefore, ELDERTALE became a mix of Heavy metal, Power metal and Death metal influenced by Traditional Slavic Folk music. Due to many professional and personal issues, the duo turn this project on hold until Evgeny Kozakov joins as bass player in 2007. ELDERTALE returns on hold in 2008 for the same reasons until late 2012, the arrival of Josh O. Berg and Alexander Desyatnichenko. The line-up is now complete.

ELDERTALE worked hard for their debut EP entitled "Land of Old" released online by June 2014 and for free exclusively. Now, the band is currently working on their debut album. Besides, they want to play live. Facebook

Hellraiser (Italy) Heavy, Speed Metal

The band was founded by the guitarist Michele Brozzi during the year 2000 with the purpose of paying tribute to heavy metal especially to the eighties period. In the beginning, the repertory was only made of cover songs including some of the best tracks of the most famous bands as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, R.J. Dio, etc., but ever since the band members wanted to evolve, composing and proposing original music. After some years, the combo was including one more guitarist, Marco Tanzi and the singer, Cesare Capaccioni, still the frontman of the band, which, thanks to his great vocal talent, allowed the
band to expand its horizons, adding further songs to the previous list of covers. Since 2009, the band has had a new bassist, Riccardo Rogari and a new drummer too, Riccardo Perugini. During the last years, the band started to have its own sound and the inspiration had finally an outlet throughout the composition of new songs, inspired to Classic Metal, Power Metal, Thrash metal, etc. Actually the band released its first full length “Revenge of the Phoenix”, including nine brand new tracks. The release party, including a powerful concert, was during July 2014, honoured by the local metal crowd with enthusiasm.Facebook

Acid Goat (UK) Stoner, Doom Metal

Formed in 2013, ACID GOAT are a three piece band from Birmingham, UK who play riff-oriented Stoner/Doom Metal. In July 2014, the band released "Acid Goat EP"; a 4-track EP which can be found on http://acidgoat.bandcamp.com/releases available for free/pay what you want. If you are interested in booking ACID GOAT for a gig, please do not hesitate to contact the band either through the band's facebook page or via an e-mail to fenris.benito@gmail.com.